I've been thinking about buying a small amount of land, 20-40 acres near Del Rio- Uvalde, and leasing out the hunting rights. Would anyone be interested in that small a parcel and what could I get for the lease? Deer, hog, turkey etc. If I put in a clause that I myself could hunt 5 days per year and take out one animal (any species/sex) is that ever done or would that screw up the deal?

Just wondering? Thanks for any advice.

Ask yourself- would I lease 20-40 acres from somebody?

I’d be shocked if anyone wanted to lease that small a place, in that desolate of country, for an amount of money that would make it worthwhile for either of y’all.

I hunted a 20 property for free for 2 years. Fed year around and never fired a shot once. Just very hard hunting on that small of a acreage. Had a young buck in the scope just to watch him. Just me personally don't like killing young deer. Neighbors dogs and neighbors noise was to much to deal with most times. NECER AGAIN.

Land in that part of Texas is measured in sections, not acres. If you could find a place that small why would anyone lease from you instead of buying their own?

Don't kid yourself. There's an arse for every seat. I have a small place north of Leakey. Taxes are around $500 a year. I leased it out in about 10 minutes on this forum. Phone was ringing off the hook. $800 is what I asked for. Could have gone higher. If you lease it you must have a permit from TPWD. I just wanted taxes covered, plus enough to pay for permit. My place is next door to a 12k acre, low fenced place with lots of exotics though.

I should add, I'm only 5 minutes from the Frio river once you hit the front gate. Something to do year around. Farther west, your options are limited.

You must not be on Facebook... They don't teach math in school anymore.

As far as actually leasing it and hunting it yourself, screw that! If it was a few thousand acres fine to also hunt but not that small of a place. But for the Facebook crowd, they would lease 1 acre if it was under $2K a gun...

I looked at a place for lease a few years back and was ready to take it. When I asked about rules and restrictions, the owner said I could not hunt the first week of spring turkey season; that was reserved for him and his son. I walked away.

Well, if it was east Texas then 20 acres might be more doable. You would have to keep a feeder well filled but that was my question. Once you are west of Del Rio things open up but some places east of there are scrub, high brush and I was wondering if 20 acres would work.
How small could you go? 40 acres?
The other issue is water. That would obviously make a difference.- I think.

To me it would depend on the deer / game population per section and what's going on around the property / hunters per acre on surrounding places.

In an area with severe overpopulation problem 40 acres would work fine,, in an area that supports 15 - 30 deer per section 40 acres isn't enough to take 1 deer every year if there are others hunting & taking deer on neighboring properties.

Without knowing what the area supports per section and how much hunting is going on around you no way to know if 40 or 320 acres would be enough.

I can't imagine any market for such limited acreage. Why do you even want to buy it?

Dave start with 40 acres, keep several feeders going year round, put in pond if one does not exist

manage it , create food plots, cover, water to attract wildlife, when you have good numbers of game passing through

then lease it out


I have a friend just bought 40 acres in Cisco, thick wood, loaded with deer and hogs (not in the same area you're looking )

It really makes a difference what is going on across the fence. If someone lucks out, and somehow buys 40 acres, that is not hunted on the adjacent properties, then yes, your idea would work. However, it is not easy to find that situation, and it could change with a new landowner next door. Even on a larger ranch, hunting pressure nearby has an impact.

I paid $1500.00 for 10 acres last year and killed a really nice buck. The hidden secret is smaller places. I have hunted large places for 20 years of my life and have killed some decent bucks, but now I only take small places and have killed 4 in last five years over 150 class and one being 173 5/8 score. For the folks that say it’s a waste of time I’d love to share pics of the bucks off of them. Someone with my experience would lease it! I